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31/01/2023
Firefighters Vote In Favour Of Strike Action
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Andy Hearn, has said that he supports a pay increase for Firefighters an their right to participate in peaceful strike action.
Mr Hearn was speaking following the results of a UK-wide ballot from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which has voted in favour in strike action.
He continued: "I fully respect and recognise the outcome of the ballot. I wholly support a pay increase for our Firefighters and absolutely recognise the right of Firefighters to participate in peaceful strike action.
"This is a national issue which we are closely monitoring. We will continue to engage with the FBU, National Joint Council, Department of Health and other key stakeholders.
"As an organisation we have a legal responsibility to prepare for strike action and a legal responsibility to deliver our statutory duty. In terms of contingency planning, discussions are ongoing with the FBU to reach clarity about the special arrangements they are prepared to agree for NIFRS which would enable Firefighters to respond to certain categories of high risk calls, should a strike go ahead.
"We recognise that the outcome of this ballot may cause concern or feelings of uncertainty amongst the community that we serve. I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to resolve this national issue. We will know more about what this ballot means for us as a Service in the coming days and weeks and we will continue to provide updates as appropriate."
Mr Hearn was speaking following the results of a UK-wide ballot from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which has voted in favour in strike action.
He continued: "I fully respect and recognise the outcome of the ballot. I wholly support a pay increase for our Firefighters and absolutely recognise the right of Firefighters to participate in peaceful strike action.
"This is a national issue which we are closely monitoring. We will continue to engage with the FBU, National Joint Council, Department of Health and other key stakeholders.
"As an organisation we have a legal responsibility to prepare for strike action and a legal responsibility to deliver our statutory duty. In terms of contingency planning, discussions are ongoing with the FBU to reach clarity about the special arrangements they are prepared to agree for NIFRS which would enable Firefighters to respond to certain categories of high risk calls, should a strike go ahead.
"We recognise that the outcome of this ballot may cause concern or feelings of uncertainty amongst the community that we serve. I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to resolve this national issue. We will know more about what this ballot means for us as a Service in the coming days and weeks and we will continue to provide updates as appropriate."
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Firefighters return to picket lines for 24-hour strike
Tens of thousands of firefighters across the UK stopped work this morning to begin the latest 24-hour strike as part of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) ongoing dispute over pay. Almost 2,000 firefighters in Northern Ireland started the strike at 9am this morning, which is the union’s third stoppage in just over two months.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
